Southwest Florida Water Management District

06/12/2026

The District urges residents to take important steps to avoid scams involving well construction.

06/11/2026

Thinking about updating your landscape this summer? Check out Florida-Friendly Landscaping ™ resources and consider opting for drought-tolerant options like these to conserve water while keeping your yard looking great.

06/10/2026

Here’s a fact about the Weeki Wachee River Springs Protection Zone. Visit HernandoCounty.us/InTheZone for more information.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted Tuesday to elect officers for the 2026-2027 term. 

06/09/2026

Water Restrictions Reminder: Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) are allowed any day, but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted Tuesday to elect officers for the 2026-2027 term. 

06/08/2026

Remember to Leave No Trace on District lands.

Video description: Informative animation-style video from the Southwest Florida Water Management District titled “Leave No Trace” that outlines the guidelines for use of District lands. The on-screen text reads as follows and is accompanied by corresponding images and symbols of trees, wildlife and people enjoying District lands:

Guidelines for use of District Lands. Follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace.
1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.

For more info, go to WaterMatters.org and search Leave No Trace. The video closes out with the Southwest Florida Water Management District logo in the bottom center of the screen.

06/05/2026

Some of our staff use their personal time to volunteer with Meals on Wheels of Tampa. They recently received the Adopt-a-Route Partner of the Year award from the organization. Learn more about their efforts.

06/05/2026

Conditions permitting, staff from the Southwest Florida Water Management District will conduct an 212-acre prescribed fire at Edward Chance Reserve – Gilley Creek Tract in Manatee County starting at 11 a.m. June 5. The burn unit is located approximately 3.4 miles south of State Road 62. Sign up for email/text alerts about prescribed fires at WaterMatters.org/PrescribedBurnsAlerts.

Prescribed burns play a vital role in protecting conservation lands from uncontrolled wildfires while promoting the health of Florida’s ecosystems. The District regularly conducts these controlled burns to maintain natural areas, support ecological balance and manage invasive vegetation for the benefit of native plants and wildlife.

All prescribed burns are authorized by the Florida Forest Service and subject to change based on weather and safety conditions. Learn more about the District’s prescribed burns and land management efforts at WaterMatters.org/PrescribedBurns.

06/03/2026

It’s Weeki Wednesday, and here’s a tip to help protect the Weeki Wachee River.

The Springs Protection Zone encompasses 5.61 miles ofWeeki Wachee River, from Rogers Park to the headspringsin Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

06/02/2026

Get an inside look at the mapping process for submerged aquatic vegetation in the Rainbow River.

06/01/2026

It’s the start of hurricane season and residents have a new tool to stay informed during and after a storm. The District has launched a new water control structure dashboard, which allows the public to track the District’s 84 water control structures in real time. Residents will be able to see which structures are open or closed at any time helping them stay informed about water levels. These structures help provide flood protection, manage lake water levels and prevent salt water from flowing up freshwater streams and creeks. Just open the link and click on the various icons on the map to see the status of a water control structure. You also can click on the search tools on the left and right side of the page to search by address, place, structure or waterbody. Bookmark this page today!